“There’s a tremendous amount of development swirling around now,” Hanna said. “Parking is going to be an issue.”

The redevelopment authority oversees a fund for infrastructure improvements on the former Steel site. The tax increment financing district fund has at least $5.5 million that could be spent on parking, Hanna said.

Authority board member Ron Heckman said few people favor parking in garages and that their use citywide should be included in the study. While surface parking may be preferred, Hanna said, a lot more parking can be created on less land with garages.

Heckman said he’s concerned about the loss of the NCC lots, but Hanna said they’re already working on plans to provide for other student parking.

One of the garages will likely be on the corner of East Third and Polk streets, especially close to the college, the proposed apartment complex and the under-construction Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, Hanna said. A second garage may be needed at Third and Founders Way, he said.